ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Rural Development
Government of India is committed to release funds for wage and material payments for proper implementation of the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act  provides the guarantee of at least 100 days of wage employment against the demand made by a household in a rural area. During the current financial year so far more than 222 crore person-days has been generated. A total of more than 6 crore households have got wage employment during the current financial year against their demand. Employment has been offered to 99.63% of the total demand of wage employment and against the offer of employment, a total of 87.35% of beneficiaries has turned up for work as per their will.
Fund release towards wage and material is a continuous process. There has been increasing of more than 18% of funds allocation for the current financial year in comparison to the previous financial year as a budget estimate. During the current FY, so far more than Rs.63,793 crore funds have been released for the implementation of the scheme in the States/UTs. Currently Rs.8921 crore funds are available which can meet the wage liability equal to this current availability.
Govt of India is committed to release funds for wage and material payments for proper implementation of the scheme, as per the provisions of the act and guidelines applicable for Central Government as well as State Governments. Whenever additional fund is required, the Ministry of Finance is requested to provide the funds. In the previous financial year, the Ministry of Finance allocated Rs.50,000 crore additional funds for the scheme over and above that of BE.
The provision for unemployment allowances is applicable for the beneficiary who has demanded work and could not be offered the work within 15 days from the date of demand for work. All other demands for work where the beneficiary has already completed 100 days in the current financial year or the beneficiary who has demanded the work but died before 15 days of the date of the demand of work shall not be eligible for unemployment allowances.
The category wise  wage payment system, as made applicable from this current financial year, has been introduced to accurately reflect on the ground flow of funds to various population groups. Its further streamlining is being undertaken.
Ministry of Defence
INDIAN ARMY LAUNCHES SINGLE WINDOW FACILITY FOR WELFARE AND GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL OF VEER NARIS
Taking yet another step in leveraging technology, the Indian Army with a motto of "Taking Care of Our Own, No Matter What” launched a single window facility named the “Veerangana Sewa Kendra”  for welfare and grievances redressal of veer naris. The project was inaugurated by President Army Wives Welfare Association  on 10 November 2022 at the premises of the Directorate of Indian Army Veterans  premises located at Delhi Cantt.
Veerangana Sewa Kendra  will be available as a service to the Indian Army Veterans Portal www.indianarmyveterans.gov.in. The system caters for registering grievances with tracking, monitoring and regular feedback to the applicant. Veernaris / Next of Kin will have multiple means for approaching the VSK through telephone, SMS, WhatsApp, Post, e-mail and walk-ins to seek assistance. Stakeholders can monitor the status of grievances through a Customer Relationship Management  software and the applicant will receive regular status updates through SMS and email.
The project leverages digital technology in the seamless coupling of various stakeholders i.e. Record Offices, Officers Record Office, ECHS, AWWA, Canteen Services Directorate, Colonels Veteran, Liaison Officers at PCDA  and PCDA  on a common digital platform. Non-military stakeholders like Rashtriya Sainik Board , Kendriya Sainik Board  & Zilla Sainik Board  are being linked through e-mail.
The postal address of the facility is DIAV, 104 Cavalry Road, Maude Lines Delhi Cantt 110010. A Whatsapp number for the facility is being shared shortly. Registration of welfare-related grievances can be done on the portal by veer naris through the respective Record Offices, Col Veterans and DIAV. Veer naris will have an option to walk into the facility and meet Assistant Manager VSK/OIC VSK to register and monitor their grievances.
The project has been driven by DIAV, AG's Branch and the technology solution has been developed by BISAG-N, while Hero MotoCorp has supported the project through their CSR initiative.
Veer naris are employed as VSK staff to maintain inherent connect and empathy with the beneficiaries. The VSK is one of its kind initiative by the Indian Army towards extending genuine care and support to its widows and veer naris and NoKs.
Special Service and Features
APEDA’s virtual buyer seller meet with UAE
Kochi , March 17,2021
Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority  organised Virtual buyer seller meet  with UAE on 16th March 2022 to further strengthen the trade relations with UAE post historic Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement  to boost the merchandise trade between the countries to $100 billion over the next five years.
Promotion of innovative & indigenous agricultural products of Kerala was the prime aim of the meet. The interactive meeting between exporters & importers is in fact a unique opportunity to capture the emerging trends in UAE market realising the export potential of Kerala.
Shri T V Subhash, Director of Agriculture, Govt of Kerala, Mr Sandeep Kumar Bayyapu, Deputy Chief of Mission, Embassy of India, Abu Dhabi & Dr. Tarun Bajaj, Director, APEDA gave the special addresses in the event.
APEDA’s products worth 129.55 US $ Mill Value  have been exported from Kerala to UAE in 2020-21. The country has a share of 24.97% , 27.90%  and 31.75%  in exports from Kerala.
However, the export potential of Kerala is not tapped to the desired extent. This VBSM with UAE was to showcase the enormous export potential of Kerala.
(Visitor Counter : 14
Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs 
Cabinet approves ASHA Benefit Package
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its ex-post facto approval to ASHA Benefit Package w.e.f. October, 2018  with two components as under: -
- ASHAs and ASHA facilitators meeting the eligibility criteria to be enrolled in social security schemes implemented by Government of India namely, the Pradhan MantriJeevanJyotiBimaYojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana.
- An increase in the amount of routine and recurring incentives under National Health Mission for ASHAs under NHM from Rs. 1000/- per month to Rs. 2000/-per month.
The package entails an expenditure  to Rs.1224.97 crore for two years 2018-19 and 2019-20.
No of beneficiaries:
- Estimated 10,63,670 ASHAS and ASHA facilitators to be covered under Pradhan MantriJeevanJyotiBimaYojana.
- Estimated 9,57,303  ASHAS and ASHA facilitators to be covered under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana.
- Estimated 10,22,265  ASHAs will get at least minimum of Rs 2000/- per month from current Rs1000/- for routine activities.
Details:
- ASHAs and ASHA Facilitators to be covered under Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana . The eligibility criteria are 18-70 years.Cover is for one-year period stretching from 1st June to 31st May and benefit is as under:–
- Rs. 2 Lakh in case of death due to accident
- Rs. 2 Lakh in case of total and irrecoverable loss of both eyes or loss of use of both hands or feet or loss of sight of one eye and loss of use of one hand or one foot
- Rs. 1 Lakh in case of total and irrecoverable loss of sight of one eye or loss of use of one hand or one foot
The annual Premium of Rs 12 per beneficiary will be paid by Central Government.
ASHAs and ASHA Facilitators meeting the age criteria of 18-50 years to be covered under Pradhan MantriJeevanJyotiBimaYojana . The annual premium of Rs. 330  will be paid by the Central Government. Cover is for one-year period stretching from 1st June to 31st May and benefit is Rs 2 Lakh in case of death due to any cause.
- ASHAs will get a minimum of Rs.2000/- per month from current Rs 1000/- per month as incentives for routine activities. This is in addition to other task based incentives approved at Central/State level.
Implementation Strategy and Targets:
- The existing institutional mechanisms for the National Health Mission would be utilised to implement the proposed ASHA Benefit package.
- By 31st March 2019- 65 % of ASHAs and ASHA facilitators to be enrolled in social security schemes implemented by Government of India namely, the Pradhan MantriJeevanJyotiBimaYojana and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana
- By 30th October, 2019-100 % of ASHAs and ASHA facilitators to be enrolled in social security schemes implemented by Government of India namely, the Pradhan MantriJeevanJyotiBima and Pradhan Mantri Suraksha BimaYojana
- The increase in the amount of routine and recurring incentives for ASHAs from Rs. 1000 per month to Rs. 2000 per month would be with effect from October 2018 .
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Distribution camp to provide Aids & Assistive devices to 1325 Divyangjansin Chennai District, Tamil Nadu
Samajik Adhikarita Shivir conducted for free of cost distribution of Aids and Assistive Devices to the Persons with Disabilities  under ADIP Scheme of Government of India, Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities. The program is organized by M/s Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India , Bangalore Unit at Arulmigu Kabaleeswarar Karpagambal Thirumana Mandapam, Chennai today.
Shri. A. Narayanaswamy, Union Minister of State for Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India was the chief guest for the program. In august presence of Dr. R. Ananda Kumar, IAS, Secretary to Government Welfare of Differently Abled Persons Dept, Ms. Jacintha Lazarus, IAS, Commissioner for Welfare of the Differently Abled Persons Dept and Ms. S. AmrithaJothi, IAS, District Collector, Chennai and by Dr. Thamizhachi Thangapandian, Member of Parliament, Chennai South .
Speaking on the occasion the chief guest Shri A. Narayanaswamy, Union MoS said that central government is committed towards the empowerment of Divyangjan and is working on the vision of Prime Minister SabkaSaathSabkaVikas. Further Union Minster said that central government is very sensitive towards the empowerment of Divyangjan and various initiative taken by Ministry in all the area whether it is Soprts, Skill Development, Education, Infrastructure for making inclusive growth of Divyangjan. Union Minister said that new Act i.e Right to Person with Disability  Act 2016 implemented by government to enhance the rights and entitlements to PwDs, the categories of disability now increased from 7 to 21, reservation in government jobs for Divyangjan has been increase from 3% to 4% under the provision of new RPWD Act 2016.
The assessment camps were conducted at Chennai from 06.10.2021 to 14.10.2021 wherein there were 1,325numbers of beneficiaries eligible to avail 2,786numbersof appliances for a total value of Rs. 104.92 Lakhs.
The inaugural distribution camp was conducted for 903no’s of beneficiaries who were eligible to avail 1,909numbersof appliances for a total value of Rs. 63.41 Lakhs.
Total number of Aids and Appliances that was distributed at Chennai includes 61 Tricycles, 115 Wheel Chairs, 36 C.P. Chairs, 412 Crutches, 53 Walking Sticks, 48Rollators, 98 Smart Cane, 56 Smart Phone, 9 Braille kit and 12 Braille Cane for visually impaired, 368 Hearing Aid, 130 MSIED Kit for Intellectually Impaired, 1 Cervical Collar, 264 ADL Kit, 264 Cell Phone, 14 Daisy Player and 173 Artificial Limbs and Calipers.
Distribution function was conducted adhering the guideline issued by Government of India to contain any possibility of spread of COVID -19 during the distribution of Aids and Assistive devices. Balance distribution among identified Divyangjan beneficiaries will continue in a phase manner.
MG/DP/RK
Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
MMTC contracts 4,000 MT of Onions in addition to the 17,090 MT already contracted; Floats3 fresh tenders for import of 5,000 MT each; Inter Ministerial Coordinated efforts to ensure priority landing & timely dispatch to States while reducing cost
The MMTC has further contracted 4,000 MT of Onions from Turkey which is expected to arrive by mid-January, 2020. This 4,000MT is in addition to the 17,090 MT of Onions already contracted which includes 6090 MT arriving from Egypt and 11,000 MT from Turkey. The Department of Consumer Affairs has also directed MMTC to issue three more tenders for import of Onions, out of which two tenders are country specific namely Turkey & European Union and one is a global tender. Each of these tenders are for 5,000 MT.
Certain relaxations have been provided in the new tenders issued such as size range of Onions have been expanded to 40mm-80mm, Consortium bidding has been allowed, exporters can offer shipment in multiple lots. Additionally, fumigation condition relaxations that were earlier provided till 30th November, 2019 have now been extended till 31st December, 2019. This is expected to further increase participation, competition & reduce price.
A coordination committee has also been formedby the Department of Consumer Affairs to ensure that the entire process of import and distribution is streamlined so as to ensure timely arrivals and movement of Onions and sale by States. The committee is holding meetings on a daily basis with participation from officials of MMTC, NAFED, CONCOR and associated Ministries and Departments. The Ministry of Shipping has also assured that it will provide priority landing/docking for the ships containing the imported Onions and will also be appointing a nodal officer at JNPT, Mumbai for ensuring speedy arrivals and onward distribution/dispatch.
The Government has also planned procurement of domestically produced Onions are procured from major Onion producing States to be distributed across all consuming States as per the demand placed by them.On 3rd December, 2019, the Union Government had revised stock holding limit on Onions to 25 MT on Wholesalers and 5 MT on Retailers. Importers will be exempted from these stock limits for imported stock.
Prime Minister's Office
ST Sangamam celebrates an ancient bond between Gujarat and Tamil Nadu : PM
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has highlighted the bond between Gujarat and Tamil Nadu being celebrated under Saurashtra Tamil Sangamam. The ST Sangamam, the Prime Minister said, celebrates ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.’
In reply to a tweet by the Union Minister Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, the Prime Minister tweeted :
"The #STSangamam celebrates an ancient bond between Gujarat and Tamil Nadu. Centuries ago people from Gujarat made Tamil Nadu their home and embraced the local culture. The Tamil people also welcomed them with open arms. This Sangamam celebrates ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.’"
Special Service and Features
Dr.G.Kannabiran appointed as Director in charge
Dr. G. Kannabiran Senior Professor of NIT Trichy and Director of Indian Institute of Information Technology Sri City, AP has been appointed as Director i/c of NIT Trichy by the Ministry of Education, Government of India.
- Kannabiran has served National Institute of Technology, Tiruchirappalli served over three decades in various roles. He has served as Head of the Department for several years and Dean of Research & Consultancy at the institute level. He also served as the Director i/c of NIT Trichy in 2016.
Dr. Kannabiran is the recipient of Commonwealth Professional Fellowship, Fulbright Fellowships, and a British Council Study Fellowship. He served as the national expert of Asian Productivity Organization for international research studies in the areas of Higher Education and Smart Manufacturing.
As the Founding Director of Centre for Entrepreneurship Development and Incubation , he obtained major grants from Ministry of Information Technology, Government of India, Sonata Software Ltd, Asia Foundation and others for promoting innovation and entrepreneurship. He has led the institute to win “High Impact Entrepreneurship Campus Award 2015” jointly conferred by Government of India. Dr. Kannabiran headed the ‘Centre for SME Research Development’ at NIT Trichy.
He has carried out sponsored projects with national and international funding including MeitY, AICTE, UKIERI, The Asia Foundation, for about 700 Lakhs in the areas of Industry-Institute Interaction, Computer-based Learning, Entrepreneurship Development, IT Graduate Employability, SME development, Data Privacy etc. He served as the Chairman of institutional-level ‘Strategic Planning Group’ assisting a major goal-oriented transformation of NIT Tiruchirappalli. He also led the team for development of first strategic plan for NIT Trichy.
His areas of include Business Analysis & IT Consulting, ICT for Development, Business Analytics, IS offshoring, Knowledge management and Software project management. He has served as visiting faculty to many leading institutions including, IIT Madras, IIMs at Kozhikode, Ranchi and Tiruchirappalli. He has spearheaded launch of two new industry-oriented specializations on ‘IT consulting’ and ‘Business Analytics’. He has published/presented about 70 research outputs through international journals and conferences.
He served as the President of Chennai Chapter of International Institute of Business Analysis and served as the Secretary of the Indian Society for Training and Development.
In his role as Director of IIIT Sri City, Dr Kannabiran has launched several initiatives including BTech Specializations in AI & Machine Learning, Cyber Security, Data Science, Cyber physical systems, etc. He has also set up a TBI- Gyan Circle Ventures with a funding of 3.2 Crores from MeitY to provide start-up grant and Entrepreneur-in Residence. He has also introduced several initiatives for skill development of BTech graduates through curricular and co-curricular reforms. He has recently completed a study on Readiness of SMEs for Industry 4.0 adoption in select 5 industry sectors.
Ministry of Science & Technology
CSIR – CMERI dedicates Solar – Biodiesel Minigrid System to Nation
These type of systems from small scale renewable energy sources can be a unique solution for uninterrupted power in remote areas, villages, hilly area among others--Prof.  Harish Hirani, Director, CSIR - CMERI
CSIR-CMERI-Centre of Excellence for Farm Machinery has developed Off-gridSolar Biodiesel Hybrid Minigrid of 50kW peak capacity system for providing 24X7 power to Center for Excellence in Farm Machinery  Residential Colony at Gill Road, Ludhiana . Prof.  Harish Hirani, Director, CSIR - CMERI inaugurated the system on 1st February 2021.
Speaking on the occasion Prof. Hirani said that currently major share of the installed power capacity of our country is from fossil fuelsources like coal, diesel etc., which have serious implications on country's energy security and environmental pollution.These high power centralized generation systems also warrant investment on expensive Transmission & Distribution infrastructure leading to higher transmission losses.In this scenario, localized regionspecific distributed generation systems like Minigrids with small scale Renewable Energy Sources can be potential generators of electricity near load centres and can help in addressing energy needs of local communities. These type of systems can be a unique solution for uninterrupted power in remote areas, villages, hilly area etc.
In addition,Solar Biodiesel Hybrid Minigrid system developed at CSIR-CMERI alsohas applications in Smart city projects, because of its inherent smart features with respect to integration of different sources. Unlike in rural areas, power requirement of domestic loads in cities are higher along with huge fluctuations due to varied usage patterns making the power balancing a challenging issue.
Experiments were conducted in the CoEFM residential colony during different times of day, month and different seasons to understand the performance of the developed system under different conditions of loading, solar radiation etc. Both Solar Photovoltaics and Biodiesel are renewable in nature and can help in reducing pollution.Solar PV systems installed on different capacities of Solar Trees  use less land space which is of great advantage in urban areas.
Prof. Hirani also informed that recently developed Fully Automatic Biodiesel Plant of capacity 1 ton per day  which can produce Biodiesel from any feedstock  is being used to produce necessary fuel for running generators. He further added that these type of systemsalso help in employment generation. This developed system is not only lighting the residential colony but also being used to run 10hp& 5hp agricultural pumps. Future plan is to increase its capacity through addition of more number of Solar Trees and Battery Banks. Other sources of energy like wind energy and Biogas can also be integrated into this system. This type of development empower many of the local communities in rural and urban areas to become self-reliant in energy and move India one step forward towards “Atmanirbhar Bharat”.
Ministry of Steel
Ministry of Steel to sign MoU with selected companies under PLI scheme on 17th March
Ministry of Steel is organising an event on March 17, 2023  at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi to sign MoUs with selected companies under PLI scheme for specialty steel. 57 MoUs from 27 companies covering 20 sub-categories will be signed during the event. The Union Minister of Steel and Civil Aviation, Shri Jyotiraditya M, Scindia, senior officials from the Ministry of Steel and companies will grace the occasion.